Ayurveda
: Ancient Heritage in the Age of Globalisation
105
particular difficult situation so that you can correct and
proceed inahealthywayof life. Observing thebody iswhat
we call as
sharira chinta
. It is very significant in ayurvedic
concept. The preservation of health and the management
of disease actually start with this observation. Benefits of
Ayurveda, this may sound little philosophical but, are two:
Avasthika
whichisimmediateresultand
Atyantika
which
is the ultimate result. The first one is either maintenance
of health or cure from a disease or management of a
disease. The ultimate benefit is to liberate person from
cyclical births and deaths, which I think many based on
the philosophy agree with that concept of Karma there.
The problem in Ayurveda is if you go through the text you
can’t find any path being advised to go for the ultimate
liberation. It is mainly meant for keeping the person
physically and mentally healthy so as to take up spiritual
task which leads to that ultimate goal.
The immediate benefit of Ayurveda is achieved
through
Swasthavritta
which is preventive medical care
and the second is Aturvritta, the curative medicine. The
preventive medical care is compared to a burning lamp.
To keep the lamp burning continuously you need to pour
oil on you, provide healthy wick and even continuously
pour oil. Then only it keeps on burning. Otherwise it gets
extinguished. Along with that you also need to protect
it from factors like wind, which will extinguish the fire.
